Washington state sees drop in child health, education stats

Driving the news: Washington slipped in the national ranking for overall child well-being — from 14th to 16th — in the Annie E. Casey Foundation report, which compares trends over the past years and most recent data.

By the numbers: The state also slid down one spot — to 27th — in education, with impacts noted across all age groups, per the report.

• 57% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Washington weren't enrolled in preschool in 2023, fewer than the national average of 54%, per the report.
• In 2024, 68% of fourth graders weren't proficient in reading, and 70% of eighth graders struggled with math.
• 16% of Washington students failed to graduate on time in 2022, compared to 13% nationally.

The big picture: Washington placed 9th in the report's health ranking, a drop of five places from last year, and 30th in economic well-being.

• There were more infants born at a low birth weight in 2023 compared to 2019, per the report.
• Children and teen death rates in the state rose to 29 per 100,000, a 38% increase since 2019, per the report.
• More children in 2023 compared to 2019 were living in homes where parents lacked secure employment or faced high housing costs.